When Bears Attack: Protecting Yourself in Bear Country

On June 18th, 2007, on a Utah campground, a family slept peacefully. As they slept a black bear invaded their campsite, dragging an 11 year old boy from his tent, shattering their peaceful evening. The bear killed the boy. This tragic, deadly attack occurred only eighteen hours after the same bear had slashed through the tent of another couple camped in the very same place.

After the first incident the Department of Wildlife Resources had attempted to capture the bear, but the bear evaded them. Horrified Utahns were outraged, saying the DWR hadn't done enough to prevent the second attack. They felt the campground should have been closed and wildlife officials should have kept hunting until the bear was killed. Officials say they had no reason to believe the bear would return because generally bears avoid contact with humans. This is especially true in cases where the bear associates this contact with negative consequences, such as being hunted by bear dogs and shot at as this bear had been.

Perhaps the DWR could have done more to protect the safety of other campers, but this righteous outcry begs the question, is it really the DWR's responsibility to keep campers safe? Doesn't the ultimate responsibility lie with campers and outdoorsmen to protect themselves? Certainly in the case of this tragedy no one would imply that any fault lies with this young boy or his family. However, the truth remains that many have lost the awe and respect they should possess for the wilderness and its inhabitants. They feel a false security in their safety, even if they take no measures to protect themselves.

After the second attack wildlife officials indeed killed a bear. "The bear" they assured the public, as confirmed by the remains of the young boy found in the bear's stomach contents. In an effort to reassure this same public that it was once again safe to return to the wilderness, wildlife officials and newscasters continued to repeat reminders of the rarity of bear attacks. This rarity seems an absolute truth, at least according to most wildlife experts.

However, a growing group of critics say bear attacks are becoming more common, as well as occurring in places they haven't before, and resulting in more fatalities. In the past, experts assumed most attacks to be defensive in nature, but these researchers claim that an increasing number of attacks have become instead predatory. What could be at the root of this apparent trend? As bears and humans come in contact on a regular basis, bears grow accustomed to human presence, quite often becoming food conditioned because people feed them or leave behind garbage for them to raid. The chance of bears coming in contact with humans increases in relation to the fact that bears are most active in the summer, when people frequently explore and recreate in wilderness areas. These bears begin to associate humans with food, and in so doing lose their wariness of coming in contact with humans, making them extremely dangerous. Bears that are food conditioned will boldly enter human structures such as tents, buildings, or vehicles in pursuit of an easy meal.

Regardless of whether attacks are on the rise, individuals planning to spend time in bear country must educate themselves and come prepared. If you are camping in bear country take precautions to avoid attracting bears. Never cook or eat in a tent, and keep items with a strong scent locked in a vehicle. These include food, soap, perfume, insect repellent, toothpaste, and cooking gear, as well as sweaty clothing or clothing that you have cooked in. Avoid using personal care items with a sweet or fruity smell. You should carry some type of weapon, such as a gun if you have training in the handling of firearms and have a license to carry one. If you do not wish to carry a gun, pack bear spray, a special type of pepper spray. Bear spray can attract bears if used inappropriately though, so do not spray it on tents or camping gear. Use bear spray only in the case of an actual attack, by spraying it directly at the animals face. The bear spray will temporarily stun the animal so you should use this opportunity to quickly escape.

If you should come in contact with a bear that does not notice your presence, slowly leave the area in the direction you came, keeping the bear in your vision. If the bear does take notice of you, assess whether the bear is defensive or predatory. A defensive bear will show signs of stress, such as retreating or observing you nervously. In this case you need to convince the bear you are not a threat. Identify yourself as human by talking to the bear in a firm voice and slowly waving your arms. If the bear does not advance toward you, retreat slowly, keeping an eye on the bear. If the bear begins to move toward you, stop. Do not run, this could turn a defensive bear predatory, and a bear will always outrun a human. If the bear does attack and you have a weapon such as bear spray use it. If you have come unarmed, curl up in a ball, shielding your vital organs and face, and play dead. Wait for the attack to stop and the bear to leave. Then, if you can walk, go for help. If the bear has immobilized you, send your companion for help.

A predatory bear will behave calmly and show intense interest. In this case, do not run or retreat. Make yourself big by waving your arms and shouting. If the bear continues to advance, fight. An aggressive bear wants to kill its prey, and playing dead will most likely result in your actual death. If you do not have a firearm or bear spray, use any weapon you can find such as a rock or tree branch. If you have not brought a weapon and a bear attacks your companion help them fight the bear off using whatever you can find.

Education and preparation can prevent tragedies like the one that befell Sam, the young boy that died on that Utah campground. Those who intend to spend time in bear country must understand the predatory natures of these animals. If campers and outdoors enthusiasts remember to respect nature, and treat these beautiful and very dangerous animals with reverence and caution, then it will truly be safe to return to the wilderness.